Following a five-week trial, Superior Court Justice R.B. Reid convicted Marshall of sexual assault Monday for inappropriately touching a teen boy at the pediatrician’s home and on a zip lining excursion.

However, he acquitted Marshall on the balance of the charges against him, including an additional 10 counts of sexual assault and 21 counts of sexual interference involving 20 male patients.

The 56-year-old was also found not guilty of a single count of breach of recognizance.

“I do not accept Dr. Marshall’s evidence that none of the touching was done for any sexual purpose,” Reid said in his judgment. “However, his evidence combined with all the other evidence in the case does leave me with a reasonable doubt as to his guilt on the patient complainant counts.”

Marshall is still the subject of an ongoing investigation by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, and could face professional sanctions.

Clad in a black suit, the greying physician sat silently in the prisoner’s box while the judgment was passed down. His family members and accusers, who sat side-by-side in a packed sixth floor courtroom, were likewise reserved.

All but two of the 22 complainants in the case were former patients. They were all young, all boys and typically referred to Marshall, a specialist in treating behavioural disorders, for issues such as depression, autism, Tourette’s syndrome or ADHD.

During the trial, several testified that Marshall groped them during frequent genital exams. Almost half said he jammed his hand down their pants, feeling — but not seeing — their penis and testicles.

Others testified he touched them in a manner consistent with masturbation.

Another complainant who was not a patient but who rented a room in the doctor’s house as a teen, told court Marshall drugged him. He said that he awoke several times without underwear on, and one morning his anus was bleeding.

He said he had no memory of what happened.

“To achieve the purpose that the Crown infers, the medication would need to be a strong sedative,” said Reid. “There was no evidence that the drug had that effect.”

Assistant Crown attorney Janet Booy said the ruling was “extremely difficult” for all those involved.

In particular, she said it was hard for Marshall’s former patients to come forward, “and for them not to receive a conviction — they see it as not being believed.”

“We’ll have to remember he was convicted of sexual assault,” she added. “That will have a great impact on him, I’m sure.”

Booy hasn’t decided what sentence she’ll seek, although it will be “significant.”

In Ontario, the maximum sentence for a sexual-assault conviction is 10 years in jail.

It’s possible Marshall will also face repercussions from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

Spokesperson Kathryn Clarke said the college — the regulatory body for doctors in the province — has monitored the trial as part of its ongoing investigation. Once the probe is complete, likely after Marshall’s sentencing, a determination will be made as to whether disciplinary action will be taken.

If a physician is found guilty of an offence “relevant to suitability to practice medicine — that can lead to allegations of professional misconduct,” Clarke explained.

She also noted it could take years before a disciplinary decision is handed down.

Although the college hasn’t banned Marshall from practising, his licence was restricted following the charges in 2010. He’s since been required to have another medical professional present any time he examines a patient under 18.

Marshall was also cautioned by the college in 2002 and 2006, after patients complained about the frequency and method of his genital exams.

Following the verdict, a witness in the case said she’s hopeful the college will revoke the pediatrician’s licence. She called Reid’s decision “shocking” and “appalling,” and said she can’t see how allowing Marshall to continue practising will benefit the community.

The woman’s son, who was one of the complainants, was likewise devastated by the judgment.

“I was expecting him to be convicted,” the 17-year-old said. “I was expecting, with the number of charges against him, more than one would come out guilty.”

“I don’t think they took me seriously,” he added.

Neither the teen nor the other 21 complainants in the case can be identified, due to a publication ban.

Throughout the trial, Marshall denied the allegations against him. He said he conducted frequent genital exams to monitor his patients’ growth, which could be affected by some of the medications he prescribed.

In some cases, Marshall was examining his patients’ genitals as often as four times a year. The complaints all involved incidents which the Crown contends took place between 1987 and 2010.

Both Marshall and his counsel Jenny Stephenson declined an interview, since the matter is still before the courts.

Marshall remains free on his existing bail conditions, and is expected back in court June 21 for sentencing.